AgriAssurance Program — Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Canada
Funding to address agribusiness market and regulatory requirements
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateMarch 06, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateSeptember 30, 2027
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
- Government of Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get up to $50,000 to implement third-party assurance certification projects that will help your company address international market requirements.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This grant provides a structured approach to funding, designed to support the development and implementation of assurance systems in Canadian agriculture and agri-food sectors. It involves cost-sharing between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the recipient with specific contribution limits.
- Maximum AAFC contribution normally does not exceed $50,000 per project.
- Total funding for multiple projects under this component is capped at $100,000.
- AAFC provides up to 50% of eligible project costs.
- The recipient must provide a minimum of 50% of eligible costs as cash contributions; in-kind contributions are not eligible for this component.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports small and medium-sized enterprises in the Canadian agricultural and agri-food sector to adopt assurance systems needed for market access. Eligible projects are focused on obtaining necessary certifications to meet specific export or domestic market requirements.
- Contracting professional services for obtaining certifications required for market access.
- Funding salaries for staff involved in developing documentation or training related to certification processes.
- Covering travel costs associated with obtaining necessary certifications.
- Paying for lab testing expenses required to gain certification or market recognition.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 50,000
Implementing a comprehensive assurance system for maple syrup exports
$ 50,000
Establishing a verification system for organic honey exports
$ 50,000
Implementing a certification system for Indigenous organic beef exports
$ 45,000
Developing a risk management system for seafood exports
$ 50,000
Implementing a quality assurance system for organic produce export
$ 50,000
Enhancing dairy product safety and quality assurance
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this program requires applicants to meet specific criteria related to their organizational profile and project focus.
- You must be a for-profit organization.
- Eligible for-profit organizations include partnerships, corporations, co-operatives (for-profit), and communes (for-profit).
- Indigenous organizations or individuals that are First Nation, Métis, or Inuit are also eligible.
- Your operations must be within the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-products industry, including the fish and seafood industry.
- Your business must be directly involved in growing, harvesting, processing, or transforming products.
- Your project must be aimed at meeting market-specific certification requirements and must be for initial certifications only.
- You must have up to 500 full-time equivalent employees.
- Your annual revenues must not exceed $100 million.
- You must be a legal entity capable of entering into legally binding agreements.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The AgriAssurance Program for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) targets for-profit organizations operating in the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-products industry, including the fish and seafood industry, that are directly involved in growing, harvesting, processing, or transforming their products. Eligible applicants must have up to 500 full-time equivalent employees, and their annual revenues should not exceed $100 million. Additionally, they must be legal entities capable of entering into legally binding agreements and aiming to meet market-specific certification requirements for the first time. Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) individuals or organizations that are for-profit, as well as partnerships, corporations, co-operatives, or communes, are included as potential eligible applicants.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The eligibility criteria and restrictions in the given context do not explicitly exclude any particular types of companies or industries. The focus is on those that meet specific eligibility criteria such as being a for-profit organization and operating within eligible sectors.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant allows for a range of eligible expenses directly related to the project activities and goals.
- Salaries and benefits for staff executing project work plan activities, including MERCs, EI, CPP/QPP, vacation pay, and benefits.
- Professional or specialized contracted services such as inspection, consultancy, financial auditing, environmental assessments, and interpretation or translation services.
- Travel expenses integral to the project, including per diems for accommodations, meals, incidentals, and transportation (e.g., air, rail, and vehicle transportation).
- Costs for eligible carbon offset credits from verified vendors adhering to internationally agreed standards.
- Other direct project costs like shipping, conference and registration fees, marketing costs related to producing materials/documents, and translation services.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure that the projects meet the overall objectives and deliver targeted outcomes effectively.
- The application is complete and the proposed project is eligible.
- The proposed activities and outcomes support the program objectives.
- All funding sources for the proposed project are identified.
- The capacity of the applicant to deliver the project, considering resources and timelines.
- The eligibility, reasonableness, and necessity of the proposed activities and costs.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Access Program Information
- Visit the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) website to access program details.
- Step 2: Secure Sign-in
- Choose a secure method to sign in or sign up on the AAFC portal.
- Step 3: Start Application Process
- Initiate a new application for the AgriAssurance Program under the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Component.
- Step 4: Download Required Forms
- Download the application form, SME Questionnaire, and Detailed Project Budget form from the portal.
- Step 5: Complete Forms
- Fill out the AgriAssurance Program Application Form, the SME Questionnaire, and the Detailed Project Budget.
- Step 6: Upload Documents
- Prepare and upload the organization’s Certificates or Articles of Incorporation or alternatives.
- Attach the last two years’ financial statements.
- Step 7: Complete Application Details
- Ensure all parts of the application are filled out correctly.
- Step 8: Submit Application
- Submit the completed application through the AAFC portal.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The program ends on March 31, 2028, meaning all project activities should be completed by then.
- Funding is available on a cost-sharing basis, with AAFC covering up to 50% of eligible project costs.
- All project costs are only eligible if incurred after April 1, 2023, and not before the application is deemed complete by AAFC.
- While in-kind contributions are not eligible towards your cost-share, they can still contribute towards project success.
- M-30 legislation may apply to applicants based in Quebec, requiring compliance during the application process.
- Intellectual property resulting from funded projects generally remains with the applicant, though certain rights may be granted to AAFC.
- Travel costs are structured with specific eligible rates and methods for reimbursement, subject to outlined limitations.
grant_single_labels|contact
1-877-246-4682
Apply to this program
Unlocking Opportunities for Canadian Agri-Food Enterprises
The AgriAssurance Program provides vital financial support designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the Canadian agri-food sector adopt industry-led assurance systems. These systems are essential for meeting complex market and regulatory requirements, thereby enhancing the global competitive standing of Canadian agricultural products.
Detailed Insights into the AgriAssurance Program and Its Strategic Contributions
The AgriAssurance Program, with a budget of $64.05 million under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), is structured to build resiliency and public trust in Canadian agriculture. This program runs from March 6, 2023, to September 30, 2027, with the potential of early closure subject to fund exhaustion, ending completely by March 31, 2028. The focus of this initiative is to facilitate the Canadian agricultural industry, particularly SMEs, in managing risks, enhancing product safety, and ensuring regulatory compliance on both domestic and international fronts.
The program is a strategic response to the growing global demand for safe and sustainably produced food, aiming to strengthen the presence of Canadian agri-food products in markets under Free Trade Agreements. By endorsing sector-specific assurance systems and tools, it empowers businesses to establish credible and verifiable claims about the safety, quality, and sustainability of their offerings. This initiative importantly targets first-time certifications, reflecting an approach that nurtures capability growth and market access.
Financial assistance under the program is considerable, however, competitive, with the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) contribution capped at $50,000 per project and $100,000 across multiple projects. Cost-sharing is a key component, requiring applicants to equally match AAFC's funding, ensuring a stakeholding approach to project success. This funding model necessitates cash contributions from applicants and excludes in-kind contributions, further embedding financial accountability within grant arrangements.
The prioritization within the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Component hinges on projects that are pioneering in nature—supporting SMEs to adopt assurance systems specifically for new export market opportunities or emerging domestic markets among Indigenous Peoples. Eligibility is contingent upon organizations meeting specific criteria, including being a for-profit legal entity operating in the agriculture or agri-food sector, with a workforce not exceeding 500 full-time employees and annual revenues under $100 million.
Engagement with the AgriAssurance Program promises applicants not only financial support but a comprehensive framework that leverages industry costs through a detailed application process, inclusive of a project budget, financial statements, and incorporative documentation. The application process also demands strategic clarity with the delineation of activities, indicating timelines, budgets, and expected outcomes, all serving to align submitted projects with the overarching goals of enhancing public trust and market access competitiveness.
Furthermore, the AgriAssurance Program underscores the significance of intellectual property agreements within contribution agreements, granting intellectual property ownership rights to grant recipients, albeit with possible licensing requisites for government purposes. The intricacies of compliance, particularly for Quebec-based entities governed by the M-30 Act, are also pivotal, necessitating demonstratable compliance during the application phase.
Ultimately, the AgriAssurance Program is an instrumental vehicle in bolstering Canada's agri-food industry presence on the world stage. It ensures that participating enterprises are well-equipped to meet the stringent demands of modern, globalized agricultural markets while fostering an environment of trust and transparency with consumers both domestically and abroad. This strategic effort not only uplifts individual enterprises but also fortifies the entire Canadian agricultural sector, setting a benchmark for resilient and sustainable economic practices.
